Natasha's Wedding
Natasha and Freddie got married in the back yard of a lordly, century old, brick, rented house off Ponce de Leon Avenue. There were maybe 50-60 people in attendance total, of which I knew the names of maybe half. The clothing and the ceremony were a lovely blend of conventional and unconventional. After the ceremony, at outdoor tables, we ate dinner catered by Freddie's former Greek restaurant employer, Meggan's current. During and after dinner, the wine and beer flowed freely and was in good supply, but nobody got drunk enough to make fools of themselves. Nervously, the groomsmen toasted the couple gracefully and respectfully in turn, dropping only a single accidental f-bomb among them. The man who performed the ceremony gave them a katana, to symbolize protecting their union, and Freddie later cut the wedding cake, which Natasha had baked herself, wielding the sword.
Natasha wore a striking red dress with understated gold accents and hand made necklace and earrings - all tributes to her remarkable taste and creative skills. Her bridesmaids wore matching simple and tasteful black dresses with white belts, or vice versa, as best befitting the personality of each. Everyone else simply wore whatever he or she wanted, although it is notable that nobody at all dressed down. I wore a tie I had never worn before.
After the bridesmaids and groomsmen took their places, it was my time to walk my eldest down the aisle. Helping her down a couple of steps and steadying her across the root-strewn yard, beholding all these faces turned towards us to watch her approach, I did not notice until I turned to her to release her that she had tears on her cheeks already (she later told me she started crying as soon as we began our walk, from inside the house's dining room). But I did see the tear on my wife's cheek as my daughter and I approached, and I thought, "Really? Already?" but in a good way, of course. I swear, the happiness in the air as the "preacher" began was practically palpable. Natasha and I hugged, and I took my seat as Freddie took her hands.
So yes, I have here placed "preacher" in quotation marks. The man's name was Carl, who with his own wife (Shelby) have been roommates of the happy couple for around 6 years. I do not know his religion or denomination, but maybe someone can tell me once I have described a few details. Behind Carl was a tapestry adorned with the Celtic symbol of unity. During the vows, he placed a broad ring of white cloth around the couple's necks, and then removed it when he was done. He wore loose clothing and sandals. He spoke of symbolism and the meaning of love and marriage, but he did not invoke God or any god. On the other hand, he did specifically use the classic vow, "For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part." He pronounced them man and wife by the power vested in him by Natasha & Freddie - and don't forget the katana (which came later). And because he was comfortable with his inner geek, he began the whole thing with, "Mawiage. Mawiage is what bwings us together...today."
I also wish to say that once Natasha was in position with Freddie, after I took my seat, Carl did not start for a good 20-30 seconds. I could see in his eyes and in his throat and in his body, he had to take time to get his emotions under control. Through words and body language alike, he made it obvious that he was nearly overwhelmed by the honor of marrying these two dear friends of his. When Natasha and Freddie walked away after, followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen couples, the first thing I did was hug Carl. He practically collapsed into my arms, and I thanked him and told him what a good job he had done.
Immediately after the ceremony, it was picture time. Although I hate being a complainer, I also hate post-wedding picture time. It goes on and on - stand here, move in closer, put your hand there, look such and such a direction, oops someone had her eyes closed, now let's get one with just you and you and you and you, etc, etc, etc. Please make it stop!
Eventually it did stop, of course, and we got down to drinking and eating. We all mingled in various ways. Sarah had relatives in town who had never been to Georgia before, so she sat with them. At our table of six, I sat with my sister Sue, my friend Jamie and his wife Connie, and with Meggan and her boyfriend Micki. The conversation was light and happy, the food was tasty, and all we men had by this time given our women our suit jackets to wear, because the sun was setting and the air was cooling.
After the groomsmen's heartfelt and youthful toasts, most of which contained some allusion to Natasha and Freddie's love being a bright and shining example to them all, dinner ended, the cake was cut, and the mingling and socializing began in earnest. There is not much more story to tell, so I will only mention a few random things.
- Everyone behaved well, and everyone seemed relaxed and to be having fun in this informal atmosphere.
- Two separate young people out of the blue mentioned to me that they had heard I was an excellent Dungeon Master. Heh!
- The house had an amazing personality. After dark, Sarah & I found a place to smoke sitting on the front steps between two griffon statues.
- I drank a little too much to drive safely, but I already had a plan with Meggan to drive us home, so it was OK. Of what I drank, one drink was a small portion of some truly excellent 21 year old Scotch!
- Jamie kept checking the score of the Georgia-Florida game on his phone, and finding out that UGA won only added to his and my festive feelings.
- The young men and women who comprise Natasha's and Freddie's circle of friends never fail to fill me with hope for the future whenever I have occasion to spend time around them. They spend time talking with us and behaving as though they are fascinated by what we have to say and as though they enjoy being around us. Maybe they do!
- I think Natasha was as happy as I have ever seen her in all her life. She was grateful and loving towards Sarah and me and sweet to her sisters. Taking the entire day as a whole, I was blown away by her grace, her planning, her love for her husband, family, and friends, her individuality, her beauty, and her creativity. That Freddie is one lucky dude!
Natasha wore a striking red dress with understated gold accents and hand made necklace and earrings - all tributes to her remarkable taste and creative skills. Her bridesmaids wore matching simple and tasteful black dresses with white belts, or vice versa, as best befitting the personality of each. Everyone else simply wore whatever he or she wanted, although it is notable that nobody at all dressed down. I wore a tie I had never worn before.
After the bridesmaids and groomsmen took their places, it was my time to walk my eldest down the aisle. Helping her down a couple of steps and steadying her across the root-strewn yard, beholding all these faces turned towards us to watch her approach, I did not notice until I turned to her to release her that she had tears on her cheeks already (she later told me she started crying as soon as we began our walk, from inside the house's dining room). But I did see the tear on my wife's cheek as my daughter and I approached, and I thought, "Really? Already?" but in a good way, of course. I swear, the happiness in the air as the "preacher" began was practically palpable. Natasha and I hugged, and I took my seat as Freddie took her hands.
So yes, I have here placed "preacher" in quotation marks. The man's name was Carl, who with his own wife (Shelby) have been roommates of the happy couple for around 6 years. I do not know his religion or denomination, but maybe someone can tell me once I have described a few details. Behind Carl was a tapestry adorned with the Celtic symbol of unity. During the vows, he placed a broad ring of white cloth around the couple's necks, and then removed it when he was done. He wore loose clothing and sandals. He spoke of symbolism and the meaning of love and marriage, but he did not invoke God or any god. On the other hand, he did specifically use the classic vow, "For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part." He pronounced them man and wife by the power vested in him by Natasha & Freddie - and don't forget the katana (which came later). And because he was comfortable with his inner geek, he began the whole thing with, "Mawiage. Mawiage is what bwings us together...today."
I also wish to say that once Natasha was in position with Freddie, after I took my seat, Carl did not start for a good 20-30 seconds. I could see in his eyes and in his throat and in his body, he had to take time to get his emotions under control. Through words and body language alike, he made it obvious that he was nearly overwhelmed by the honor of marrying these two dear friends of his. When Natasha and Freddie walked away after, followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen couples, the first thing I did was hug Carl. He practically collapsed into my arms, and I thanked him and told him what a good job he had done.
Immediately after the ceremony, it was picture time. Although I hate being a complainer, I also hate post-wedding picture time. It goes on and on - stand here, move in closer, put your hand there, look such and such a direction, oops someone had her eyes closed, now let's get one with just you and you and you and you, etc, etc, etc. Please make it stop!
Eventually it did stop, of course, and we got down to drinking and eating. We all mingled in various ways. Sarah had relatives in town who had never been to Georgia before, so she sat with them. At our table of six, I sat with my sister Sue, my friend Jamie and his wife Connie, and with Meggan and her boyfriend Micki. The conversation was light and happy, the food was tasty, and all we men had by this time given our women our suit jackets to wear, because the sun was setting and the air was cooling.
After the groomsmen's heartfelt and youthful toasts, most of which contained some allusion to Natasha and Freddie's love being a bright and shining example to them all, dinner ended, the cake was cut, and the mingling and socializing began in earnest. There is not much more story to tell, so I will only mention a few random things.
- Everyone behaved well, and everyone seemed relaxed and to be having fun in this informal atmosphere.
- Two separate young people out of the blue mentioned to me that they had heard I was an excellent Dungeon Master. Heh!
- The house had an amazing personality. After dark, Sarah & I found a place to smoke sitting on the front steps between two griffon statues.
- I drank a little too much to drive safely, but I already had a plan with Meggan to drive us home, so it was OK. Of what I drank, one drink was a small portion of some truly excellent 21 year old Scotch!
- Jamie kept checking the score of the Georgia-Florida game on his phone, and finding out that UGA won only added to his and my festive feelings.
- The young men and women who comprise Natasha's and Freddie's circle of friends never fail to fill me with hope for the future whenever I have occasion to spend time around them. They spend time talking with us and behaving as though they are fascinated by what we have to say and as though they enjoy being around us. Maybe they do!
- I think Natasha was as happy as I have ever seen her in all her life. She was grateful and loving towards Sarah and me and sweet to her sisters. Taking the entire day as a whole, I was blown away by her grace, her planning, her love for her husband, family, and friends, her individuality, her beauty, and her creativity. That Freddie is one lucky dude!